Justin Timberlake seems to be just about everywhere these days, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise when his latest album’s release party turned up on The CW network. 36 Clay Paky’s new Sharpy Wash 330 luminaries were selected by lighting designer Nick Whitehouse to support the show. A.C.T Lighting is the exclusive distributor of Clay Paky fixtures in North America.

The one-hour special “Target Presents the iHeartRadio Album Release Party with Justin Timberlake” was recorded at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles during celebrations for the singer’s “20/20 Experience” album. The party included a live, national 30-minute radio special plus performances and interviews, which were recorded to air the next evening on The CW where fans also saw the world premiere of Timberlake’s new music video.

The special was the first show on which Whitehouse used Sharpy Wash fixtures. Clay Paky’s Sharpy Wash 330 is a compact, lightweight 330W washlight, with the luminous efficiency and optical performance of a 1000W fixture. It is extremely silent and quick and is fitted with a complete CMY color system, special colors, 6.5°-48° zoom, mechanical dimmer, beam shaping filter and motorized top-hat. It is an eco-friendly light, allowing considerable running and consumption cost savings.

Whitehouse wanted to give the El Rey Theatre an “old-school, Cotton Club look” and opted to use the Sharpy Washes as soon as they became available.

Timberlake appeared at several other club dates, and “by the time we got to the El Rey the lights were ready,” Whitehouse recalls. “I wanted to give the show a retro look; there wasn’t much movement, but there were a lot of color changes. I used the Sharpy Washes like par cans configured in groups of four; they gave that nice thin beam with frost in there.”

Whitehouse says, “I love all the Sharpy fixtures, and the Sharpy Washes performed even better than I expected. The show was a nice testing ground for future arena and stadium shows” where Sharpys and Sharpy Washes will comprise part of Whitehouse’s lighting complement.

Whitehouse will light Timberlake’s East Coast release party at New York City’s famed Roseland Ballroom on May 5 deploying Sharpy fixtures one more time to celebrate the “20/20 Experience.”

George Masek, A.C.T Lighting’s Vice President, Automated Lighting, adds, “We’ve always been a fan of Nick’s work – he’s always doing something cutting edge and different with the equipment he uses. We were excited when he chose the Sharpy Wash to support this production because we were sure it would be a great US debut for this tremendous new fixture and we weren’t disappointed.”

Francesco Romagnoli, Clay Paky Area Manager for North and Latin America, concludes, “We’re so please to see our new Sharpy Wash fixtures on so many high profile shows. Nick has always been a great user of our products and this show is an excellent example of that.”

Helps GB4D Rental House Simplify Network Audio Distribution High in the French Alps

TIGNES, FRANCE, MAY 2, 2013 – For the fourth year in a row, a portion of ESPN’s X Games has taken place overseas, this time in Tignes, France, a hot spot for skiing and snowboarding in the French Alps. In addition to X Games Tignes being broadcast from France this year for the first time ever, the annual extreme sporting event is going global, with additional events taking place through early August in Aspen (U.S.), Barcelona (Spain), Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil), Los Angeles (U.S.) and Munich (Germany). Situated at up to 12, 293 feet above sea level, the location of the games added a new level of complexity for Gilles Bouvard Events and Entertainment (GB4D), the France-based rental house that assisted ESPN with the sophisticated audio signal distribution necessary for the event. To help manage the coordination and weather challenges, the company turned to Optocore’s optical fiber network solutions.

The event in France was co-produced by Canal+ Events on behalf of ESPN, with GB4D providing virtually all of the audio equipment for the competition zones to assist A+ Events, another co-producer. With more than 125 athletes participating in the games, the team at GB4D knew it needed gear capable of managing not only proper audio distribution, but also able to withstand the snowy weather concerns. A longtime fan of Optocore, Gilles Bouvard, owner of GB4D, suggested Optocore’s interfaces as a way to ensure a successful signal flow within a redundant system.

“The audio vendor for the X Games was my former associate, Julien Terrier, with his new company A+ Events,� says Bouchard. “I suggested he use Optocore to provide all the fiber network signal distribution.�

The audio transmission was based around two Optocore loops—one ring for the Super Pipe competition area, with five Optocore X6R-FX network converters for the main PA and one for the VIP area—and a second for the Slope Style competition area, with two X6R-FX interfaces. The master control room was equipped with two DD2FR-FX (offering MADI ports), two DD32R-FX (AES-EBU) and one X6R-FX systems. GB4D was able to control the entire Optocore system from a single desktop PC.

As the distances between nodes were long, GB4D used approximately 984 feet (300m) of Neutrik X-TREME fibers for signal transport between all links. The primary ring measured a distance of approximately 1.3 miles (2.1km) and the secondary approximate 1,968 feet (600m), which was constructed around 12 nodes, plus spares.
L’Acoustics LA8 and Lab Gruppen PLM10000Q amplifiers fed the main PA hangs, while the Optocore LAN controlled the Super Pipe’s deck fills. Inputs included background music, live DJ feeds, wireless announcer microphones, various media and advertisement sources and TV truck feeds.

“Thanks to the Optocore network, the wireless links for the announcers was greatly simplified. Also, feeding signals into the system was easy,� explains Bouvard. “As for the outputs, the Optocore fiber network allowed a simple routing of the various signals feeding the amplifiers all around the site. The possibilities offered by macros allowed a simplified routing and ease of modification for all the various live and recording feeds.� GB4D designed a redundant FOH position, deploying two fully backed-up Midas digital desks.

Bouvard compared the challenge of working high in the Alps with the opposite climatic extreme GB4D faced when it recently deployed a vast Optocore and BroaMan network over a huge distance for Kuwait’s 50th Constitution Day celebration. “There was really little difference,� he says. “On the one hand we had the high temperatures and sand storms, on the other the very low temperatures and snow. We found ourselves in two similar extreme situations and we had to find reliable solutions.

“I think that working in those difficult environments helps us improve our technical expertise. We have learned to adapt technically to those constraints, for example with the PA and cabling, but more essentially for the monitoring of the systems, which is crucial in this type of event and in these conditions. The use of an Optocore network simplifies this enormously.�

With the increasing popularity of the X Games across the world, there are more technical challenges, especially in the months leading up to the event. “Reliability is fundamental,� continues Bouvard. “All the vendors present were snow and mountain specialists, so we were ready for any technical challenges. Plus, the ease of the Optocore implementation was a major step forward for this project. The most notable aspects were the simplification of the routing system, the increased reliability of the wiring on site, the total redundancy and the real-time monitoring of all system components.�

He added that GB4D technicians François Lund, Patrice Giono and Piotr Skotnicki have worked at X Games Tignes since it was first staged there in 2010. All three are certified Optocore technicians, and were responsible for realizing the design, implementation and operation of this year’s event.

About Optocore

Based in Munich, Germany, Optocore is the world market leading provider of scalable, high-bandwidth, low–latency fiber-optic networks for the transmission of audio, video and data. For 20 years, Optocore has been continuously innovating and setting new standards with regards to digital network technology. Optocore builds and develops synchronous optical fiber and CAT5 based network solutions for broadcast professionals, fixed installations and live event applications. Utilizing leading-edge technology and high-quality components, Optocore guarantees durability and therefore long-term market and customer satisfaction. Due to its open system architecture, Optocore’s platform offers other manufacturers the option to transfer conventional standard audio, video and data formats used in the pro audio industry over a fiber and CAT5 network. Technical expertise, QoS and an extensive support structure are guaranteed to all customers, together with the highest level of quality controls. For more information, visit www.optocore.com.

“SSL is a company that takes care of you through the sale and continues the relationship into the future�

VIENNA – A Solid State Logic C100 HDS Digital Broadcast Console has been chosen to make classical music sing for the new Musik und Theater (MuTh) Concert Hall, the permanent home for the Vienna Boys’ Choir (VBC). The 400-seat facility is also home to many other institutions and hosts performances ranging from the Vienna Philharmonic to dance and jazz presentations. The C100 is used for front of house live sound mixing, DAW capture, post production and live-to-air broadcast/streaming. The choice of the C100 was based in part on purity of sound and SSL’s responsiveness to client needs.

“While we looked at consoles from all the major manufacturers, SSL was our choice for many reasons,� says Roland Tscherne, technical manager and sound engineer for MuTh. “First and foremost, SSL offers the most clarity and precise sound, worthy of the internationally acclaimed artists who perform here. Second, unlike other companies, SSL was very willing to sit and discuss our specific needs and work with us to fulfill those needs. SSL didn’t stop paying attention once the console was installed, as we have received software updates that include many of the refinements we were looking for. SSL is a company that takes care of you through the sale and continues the relationship into the future. That attention is very valuable.�

The MuTh Concert Hall is also an educational facility for children and young adults who attend its co-ed kindergarten, elementary and high schools that are attached. The theatre places particular emphasis on children’s opera. The entire operation is conceived as a gathering place for educating young people in the performing arts and to foster collaborations with other established institutions centered on youth performing arts.

According to Tscherne, the C100 resides in the theatre itself, acting as the front of house console and the audio hub for the facility. The C100 has been configured to send stereo and 5.1 mixes to the house system for concerts and film presentations. At the same time, each mix combination and the individual microphone channels are sent to the DAW for capture, re-mixing and post production. If a performance uses 30 wireless and 60 orchestra microphones, one push of a button sends all the single tracks to the DAW, saving time, while giving the engineering staff more opportunity to concentrate on creating the perfect mix.

“When we first put in the C100, each engineer definitely had a wow factor going when they sat down at the console,� concludes Tscherne. “Because it was an SSL console, they were a little bit intimidated because they haven’t ever used a console like this. However, one hour later, they were impressed with the ease of use, comfortable with mixing a project and, most importantly, with the pristine sound. We look forward to a long and successful relationship with SSL.�

Solid State Logic is the world’s leading manufacturer of analogue and digital audio consoles and provider of creative tools for music, broadcast and post production professionals. For more information about our award-winning products, please visit: www.solidstatelogic.com.

MediaPulse Supports Multi-Faceted Entertainment Sports Group

(Mission Hills, CA) Xytech, the global leader in facility management software for the broadcast and media services industries, announced that PGA TOUR Entertainment has chosen MediaPulse to support its wide range of services, which include commercial production, live event coverage, creative services, and licensed golf footage.

PGA TOUR Entertainment, headquartered in St. Augustine, FL, is a world-class, innovative entertainment company and the full service content production arm of the PGA TOUR. Established in 1985, the Emmy(r) Award winning company has produced countless television series and specials for broadcast, cable and digital platforms. PGA TOUR Entertainment's 32,000 square foot facility offers North Florida's premier high definition edit facilities, state-of-the-art graphics, animation, audio sound design, and satellite and fiber transmission facilities. After a careful review of available solutions by PGA TOUR Entertainment, MediaPulse was chosen to support operations across an extensive roster of schedules, deliverables, facilities and project management.

David Dukes, Senior Director of Technical Operations for PGA TOUR Entertainment saw MediaPulse as a strong solution to their multi-faceted needs. "Sports entertainment organizations are uniquely focused on so many areas these days. Commercial and long form programming, live events, broadcast, and digital media are now all part of the mix for us. We found MediaPulse to be a perfect fit for our need to manage production staff, project schedules and reporting."

Greg Dolan, COO of Xytech, said, "PGA TOUR Entertainment is at the top of the list of the great organizations we have had the pleasure of working with in the past year. It's been a wonderful experience putting MediaPulse in place for this terrific group of professionals. We designed our platform to support just the sort of work they are delivering."

About Xytech
Xytech Systems Corporation(tm) is the leading global provider of facility management software for today's media and broadcast companies. Leveraging a 25-year history of innovation and market expertise, Xytech brings unparalleled proficiency to its customers with flexible, transparent and evolutionary solutions that set the standard for successfully managing the continuous business realignments that define today's marketplace. Xytech's collaborative MediaPulse platform and suite of solutions enable craft workflow and asset management systems to work seamlessly with the company's renowned planning, scheduling and financial management tools. Xytech has over 450 software deployments in more than 20 countries around the world and is headquartered in Mission Hills, California, with regional offices in New York and London.

For more information, please visit or call +1.818.698.4900 (US) or +44 (0)20.7903.5170 (UK).

About PGA TOUR Entertainment
PGA TOUR Entertainment is a world class, innovative entertainment company and the full service content production arm of the PGA TOUR. Established in 1985, the Emmy Award winning company has produced countless television series and specials for broadcast, cable and digital platforms. Their 32,000 square foot facility offers North Florida's premier high definition edit facilities, state-of-the-art graphics, animation, audio sound design, and satellite and fiber transmission facilities.

For more information, please visit www.pgatourentertainment.com or call (904)940-7000

# # #

Media Contact for Xytech:
Christine Purse
ignite strategic communications
818.980.3473 (office)
323.806.9696 (cell)
chris@ignite.bz

Video Surveillance Products Leader IC Realtime Joins Verizon Partner Program

Joint national program opens doors for integrators to tap vertical markets by deploying
custom-tailored HD video surveillance systems transmitted via Verizon Wireless; represents great opportunities for integrators to create recurring monthly revenues

Pompano Beach, FL – May 1, 2013 – IC Realtime, a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced visual surveillance solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, governmental and educational channels, today announced that it has joined the Verizon Partner program. The move is the first initiative by IC Realtime’s M2M (Machine-to-Machine) Advisors Group, a newly-formed division operating from within its Pompano Beach, Florida headquarters.

Under the program IC Realtime and Verizon Wireless Connected Technologies sales teams will work with qualified IC Realtime integration companies (classified by IC Realtime as its M2M Master Integrators) to develop and deploy custom-tailored HD video surveillance solutions via the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.

According to IC Realtime’s M2M Advisor Group President Adam Cohen, the types of applications span residential, commercial and industrial to local, state and federal branches of government.

�The program helps integrators branch-out into emerging vertical markets such as remote autonomous solar-powered systems; video over cellular; cloud-based HD-video and data storage; remote M2M command and control, and internet and video redundancy,� says Cohen. “These powerful new offerings will allow them to sell services and build recurring monthly revenue streams previously deemed unobtainable or perhaps unforeseen.�

To help integrators seize the wide range of opportunities that exist, IC Realtime will aggregate talent from its consortium of integration companies, training them in Megapixel IP video over cellular networks, command and control over remote locations, autonomous solar systems, and wireless technology.

“Such a network of skilled connected technology experts can assist the business interests of manufacturers, service providers, integrators, and consumers of electronic physical security equipment,� adds Cohen. “We believe that our pool of M2M Master Integrators will be the catalyst for a global paradigm shift in how security is procured, installed and serviced.�

Useful for the venture will be Video iVAULTâ„¢, an M2M cloud-based platform that IC Realtime created to provide live video on demand, without the need for special software or complicated hardware solutions. This platform allows wireless cameras and recorders to send event video and alerts to the IC Realtime Cloud to be securely stored long-term via wireless networks. Additionally, this solution further reduces costs by limiting the amount of video storage devices needed to be deployed onsite.

IC Realtime has also created a failover option for its DVR / NVR systems solutions to monitor in real time, grant access, communicate, and secure environments via the Verizon network. This redundancy feature provides crucial backup when power and internet lines go down. According to Cohen, the failover option is yet another example of previously untapped revenue source for integrators.

For all IC Realtime media inquiries, please contact Paul Muto at 631.849.4301 or via email at paul@mutocomm.com.

About IC Realtime
IC Realtime is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced visual surveillance solutions, serving the residential, commercial, industrial, governmental and educational channels with a wide variety of analog and IP surveillance cameras, DVRs, NVRs, monitors, software Apps and accessories. The company is founded by experts with a combined 35 years of experience in the development, marketing, sales, installation and support of security and alarm equipment. www.icrealtime.com

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 98.9 million retail customers, including 93.2 million retail postpaid customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 73,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://news.verizonwireless.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.

There are Spyders to be found throughout the new James B. Hunt Jr. Library on the North Carolina State University Centennial Campus, and they’re getting rave reviews. Vista Systems’ Spyder X20s were selected by The Sextant Group, Inc. for a number of video processing tasks in the technology-rich library.

The Centennial Campus in Raleigh is home to the colleges of engineering, textiles and veterinary medicine. A 218,000-square foot James B. Hunt Library is being called the library of the future for its stunning architectural presence and use of technology. It will house, upon completion, the campus library, the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) and numerous technology-intensive environments for faculty, students and visitors.

The Sextant Group was charged with providing AV and IT design services for the new building. They chose Spyders to fill the video processing needs for many multimedia displays. “There are five Christie MicroTile 4K walls throughout the building, so we needed a processor that could handle them,” says Scott Frey, CTS-D systems designer for The Sextant Group. “There are also two auditoriums with blended multi-window projection, and Spyders were needed there, too.”

A Christie MicroTile curved wall displays faculty and student work in the iPearl Immersion Theater. Another MicroTile wall in the Game Lab can be used as a single panorama or divided into multiple sections; it supports the study of digital games and offers a place to play for fun.

But Spyder’s reach extends even further. The Teaching and Visualization Lab boasts a 3D-capable 270º screen on three walls for a total of 80 linear feet of display surface, 10 projectors and a Spyder X20. In the Creativity Studio a white box-style theater/classroom features a large curved screen, two projectors, a Spyder and movable and writable walls. The Creativity Studio is “a flexible, collaborative space with multiple projection surfaces and limitless interactive opportunities for students – all with a single point source and control,” Frey notes.

For every multimedia application in the new library “Spyder really fit our needs,” he says. “It has great configurability and windowing and handles multiple formats. We can update and upgrade it, and it’s one of the easiest to use of all the video processors on the market. Spyder has been looking and working great.”

About Vista Systems
Vista Systems’ switchers have become the industry standard for live multiple-destination video and data mixed signal switching with real-time windowing and composition. For more information on Vista Systems, visit their website at www.vistasystems.net.

Contemporary Nightclub/Restaurant in Historic “Jazz Alley� Blends Avant-Garde Outline System with Historic Music Venue Backdrop

NEW ORLEANS, APRIL 30, 2013 – New Orleans’ latest traditional jazz venue, the Little Gem Saloon, recently celebrated its rebirth and grand opening with Outline, the maker of high-quality, industry-leading speaker systems for touring, installation and studio applications. The Little Gem Saloon has installed Outline’s state-of-the-art loudspeaker and iMode networking and control technology at its two-floor facility, designed to give patrons the feel of an old-world, traditional jazz-style setting. Outline’s iMode-based sound system provides the venue a crystal-clear, transparent sonic foundation for delivering authentic live jazz.

Located at the head of New Orleans’ famed “Jazz Alley� on the 400 block of South Rampart Street, the Little Gem Saloon has been resurrected on the site of its original 1903 location. Jazz historians unanimously agree that no other single location is more significant to the founding and evolution of jazz than the Little Gem Saloon.

“When I was approached to provide a sound design for the Little Gem Saloon, I immediately thought of Outline,� says Michael Paz, a New Orleans-based sound designer and music industry veteran. “Knowing that we would have two separate performance spaces one floor apart, Outline’s iMode technology was the clear and obvious choice. The ability to monitor, control and, if need be, run the same program material through both systems simultaneously, was really appealing. Plus having all that control at the engineer’s fingertips via Outline’s iMode app for iPad and iPhone really gave Outline an advantage over other systems.�

The upper and lower performance spaces of the Little Gem Saloon have almost identical front-of-house systems based on three Outline DVS12P-iSP self-powered, 12-inch, two-way trapezoidal cabinets arrayed in a left-center-right configuration. A total of five Outline iSM112-iSP cabinets, two on the ground floor and three in the upper level space dubbed “The Ramp Room� in homage to Rampart Street, act as floor monitors in the venue. In addition, one Outline DVS118SW-iSP single 18-inch subwoofer rounds out the installation. All iSP designated speakers are iMode-capable.

The iMode technology embeds a Linux-based CPU with an integrated DSP chip, parameter control software and Web server right into its powered speaker systems, thereby eliminating outboard gear between the console and power amplifier. Audio conversion is done at 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, with users having real-time control over levels, delay, EQ and shelving filters per speaker. iMode also allows the user to monitor performance parameters across the system, including VU-metering, selected preset parameters, clip and limiter status, amplifier overheating and protection. These parameters can be accessed using an iPad with a dedicated Outline software app or via any standard Web browser on any Internet-capable device.

“In a historic venue like the Little Gem Saloon, the sound system should be pleasing to the eye, but invisible to the ear,� said Tom Bensen, Outline North America’s senior vice president and managing director. “When it comes to sound reinforcement needs, traditional jazz music is akin to classical music. The transparent, crisp and natural sound that the DVS12P-iSP delivers is perfectly suited to reproducing and reinforcing each instrument and performance nuance note for note, without coloration. I was very pleased with the way the systems blended in each of the performance spaces both visually and sonically.�

From 1903 to 1909, Frank Doroux’s original Little Gem Saloon indelibly linked a series of three late-1880s Italianate terrace houses at 445-449 South Rampart Street to the birth of America’s greatest indigenous art form, jazz. The club became the watering hole for jazz legends such as Buddy Bolden, Freddie Keppard, and other early performers of the neighboring Back-of-Town district (known today as Mid-City and Central City). The original Little Gem closed its doors in 1909, re-opening on January 20, 2013. For more information about the Little Gem Saloon, visit http://www.littlegemsaloon.com.

About Outline
Outline S.r.l., based in Brescia, Italy, is a leading manufacturer of high quality loudspeakers of both powered and un-powered configurations. Founded in 1973, the company has a rich history in the development of high quality loudspeaker systems, test and measurement systems, and holds numerous technology patents. With offices in Italy, The UK, and the USA and over 50 distributors on five continents with more than 4200 venues and users to its credit, Outline has assumed its place among the leaders in the professional audio market.

THOUSAND OAKS, California, April 30, 2013 – Studies show that homeowners are more interested now than ever before in upgrading their outdoor living spaces. Whether it’s a modest yet relaxing patio or a backyard paradise to rival a resort, a SunBriteTV all-weather television is the perfect investment in creating the ultimate outdoor setup.

Manufactured in the U.S. and purpose-built to sustain the harshest weather from Miami to Minneapolis, a SunBriteTV is the foundation of any dynamic outdoor entertaining area. According to a survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects, architects experienced a significant increase in client interest in blended indoor/outdoor living in 2012.

“We’ve seen many consumers investing more in their current property to add long-term value,� said Tom Dixon, VP of Marketing, SunBriteTV. “A SunBriteTV is ideal in this situation: our durable outdoor TVs are built to last for years and add value to the property in addition to livening up social gatherings.�

The SunBriteTV Signature Series starts at $1,495 for a 32�, $2,795 (46�), $3,995 (55�) and $6,995 (65�).

All SunBriteTV models withstand temperatures from -24°F to 122°F and completely resist rain, humidity, salt corrosion, dust, and insects. Anti-glare screens are specially designed to deliver bright high-definition images in any outdoor climate, any time of day or night.

Every SunBriteTV includes a two-year warranty, a weatherproof remote, and 20 watt built-in speakers.

Optional accessories include a variety of wall-, ceiling- or pole-mount installation solutions, dust covers and FM Radio.

For more information on SunBriteTV please visit www.sunbritetv.com.

About SunBriteTV
SunBriteTV’s all-weather televisions have been time-tested in home installations, outdoor sports arena, restaurant and hotel patios and even on military vehicles participating in field operations. All models are available through SunBriteTV’s network of Authorized Dealers. To inquire about becoming an Authorized Dealer, contact SunBriteTV at 866.357.8688, or visit the Dealer Inquiry page at www.sunbritetv.com.

WATCHOUT at the heart of immersive London 2012 cyclorama

The use of cutting-edge multimedia technology to entertain consumers while reinforcing brand values is gaining momentum globally, and a shining example using Dataton WATCHOUT™ multi-image display and presentation software platform was to be found at BP’s ‘Fuelling The Future’ showcase during the London 2012 Olympics.

In a 360-degree environment designed by KBW Design, systems integrator DJ Willrich (DJW) designed and installed the AV system according to guidelines laid down by LOCOG, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. DJW used eight Panasonic projectors to create a cyclorama with seamless edge-blending courtesy of Dataton WATCHOUT. WATCHOUT was supplied by Dataton Premium Partner, Mirage Associates.

With a timeline synchronised to a Medialon show-control system, the audience was surrounded by a shifting audio-visual landscape that brought to life BP’s key brand messaging as an Olympic sponsor – that the company is discovering and recovering energy efficiently, responsibly and safely from some of the world’s most hostile environments.

David Willrich at DJW comments: “We have used WATCHOUT many times and had no hesitation in specifying it for this project. The system’s ability to blend, warp and geometrically correct multiple video images, synchronise them to a multimedia show, and put the whole thing inside a package that can be controlled on-site by non-technical staff, is second to none.�

For Dataton, Marketing Director Fredrik Svahnberg adds: “It is always a thrill to contribute core technologies to an event of global significance such as the Olympic Games, and we were delighted to be part of ‘Fuelling The Future’.

“Our systems performed faultlessly in front of almost 50,000 people during London 2012 and, now that the Games are over, they can be completely re-purposed – complying with the wishes not just of LOCOG but of our end-customer as well.�

ENDS

Note to editors: Images © KWB Design & courtesy of DJ Willrich.

When Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame opened at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, sports fans flocked to the new 40,000 square-foot space that celebrates the country’s impressive and inspiring sports history. With AV support from Electrosonic, the attraction offers 11 exhibit galleries representing 58 sports, plus more than 50 interactive visitor experiences designed to captivate fans of all ages.

“We were involved in every aspect of the brand new museum,” reports Electrosonic account executive Tony Petruzziello. “Every exhibit required AV components and a number of them are really stand-out experiences.”

Cambridge Seven Associates (C7A) designed the new building, which houses interactives and multimedia presentations designed by Cortina Productions and Bruce’s Garage. Electrosonic was the main AV systems contractor working for The Taylor Group, which provided overall exhibit project management and fabrication. Electrosonic’s Design Consulting team worked with C7A and the media producers to design the exhibits.

Electrosonic hired Calgary AV contractor ASCCI to provide the equipment and local resources for rack fabrication and on-site installation. Eos Lightmedia of Vancouver did the lighting design.

One of the most challenging galleries in the Sports Hall of Fame was The Ring of Canada Sports, which required a customized projection solution. “C7A wanted the images floating overhead, but the ceiling height restricted projector positions and the throw distances needed to achieve the desired image sizes,” says Electrosonic design consultant Andy Batwinas. “In the end, the screen surface evolved to a ring shape and used Sharp XG-P610X projectors with wide-angle lenses mounted above custom mirror bounce assemblies to rear project onto the scrim material.” The scrim can be dropped from a portion of the frame to allow for routine projector maintenance.

A number of noteworthy galleries and exhibits fill the new attraction. In the Skater Gallery, Sharp PG-F267X ultra short throw projectors display imagery on the walls behind athlete figures. “These models allowed us to place the projectors in the floor very close to the walls and achieve a large image for the backdrop,” Batwinas explains.

The entry tunnel is a clever use of a narrow space. Three Medialon MIPs source images of sports suited to the long corridor, such as curling and swimming. Video is projected via three Panasonic PT-DW6300US units aimed at the floor, and edge blended.

“Like the entry tunnel, the Water Sports Gallery capitalizes on the Panasonic projectors’ ability to be mounted in odd orientations,” says Electrosonic engineer Jim Funke. “This time they were aimed upwards to give the illusion of being under the water and looking up at shimmering images projected onto discs mounted in the ceiling.”

Another fan favorite is the Formula 1 car in the Ride Motion Gallery, which is backed by a curved screen displaying racing footage. Electrosonic provided a Sharp XG-P560WN running through an FPS IA-200-EX to correct for the screen’s curve. Shadow Boxing in the Contact Gallery gives visitors a chance to demonstrate their pugilistic skills; participants cast their shadow on a screen where a Sharp XG-P610X projector displays the moves of their opponent.

Several exhibits featuring 3D Blu-ray players allow visitors to simulate the feeling of being a hockey goalie and baseball catcher. Other visitor experiences, such as the ski jump exhibit, have sensor interfaces, which trigger events to make them more interactive.

Various Sharp Moments Timeline exhibits, sponsored by the electronics giant, feature Sharp PN-E421 42-inch LCD monitors powered by Medialon MIPs. In the actual Hall of Fame area, guests can use 32-inch touchscreens to select athletes and sports notables they want to learn more about; their images are displayed on Sharp PN-E521 LCDs.

Finally, visitors can gather in the 120-seat Riddell Family Theatre to watch a 10-minute video highlighting great sports moments. A Christie Mirage HD10K-M projector displays onto the theatre’s 16×9-foot painted wall.

Electrosonic provided the audio system throughout the building. It’s comprised of BSS London BLU processors and break out boxes connected to QSC CX-Series amplifiers driving JBL or Innovox speakers.

Medialon MIPs are the video sources for everything not run from a PC. Cisco DMP-4400G-52-K9 Digital Media Players are used in digital signage and several exhibits. Medialon Manager controls and monitors the majority of the exhibits.

The AV systems are housed within a number of equipment racks in the enterprise IT control room.

“The Hall contains an extraordinary amount of media and interactive exhibits under one roof. Electrosonic rose to the challenge and pulled it off magnificently,” concludes Stephen Platenberg, Principal, Cortina Productions

About Electrosonic

Electrosonic is an international audio-visual company that creates tailored, state-of-the-art solutions for a wide range of markets including theme parks, museums, control rooms, and corporate meeting rooms. Since its founding in 1964, Electrosonic has built a strong reputation for working on complex projects, both large and small, and has developed lasting partnerships with customers and suppliers. Beyond complete integrated systems, Electrosonic provides a comprehensive scope of services including technical design, projector lamp sales, maintenance and operational support.

Learn more about Electrosonic. Visit http://www.electrosonic.com